Cannabis Extract Process for High-CBD Low-THC Epilepsy Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for epilepsy using cannabinoids are not sufficiently effective, and there is a need for alternative cannabis-based products that provide improved therapeutic outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A method for obtaining a cannabis extract with enhanced efficacy for epilepsy treatment by processing cannabis flowers to separate trichomes at low temperatures, using alcohol for maceration and decarboxylation, and avoiding purification steps to maintain high CBD and low THC concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cannabis extraction methods are used, then the extraction process is simpler, but the therapeutic effectiveness for epilepsy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into distinct stages: initial maceration at room temperature, followed by reflux extraction at elevated temperature. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for different aspects of cannabinoid extraction, thereby improving overall therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining manageable process complexity through systematic organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The method performs preliminary maceration at room temperature before the main reflux extraction. This preliminary action pre-saturates the solvent with cannabinoids and prepares the plant material, which enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the subsequent high-temperature extraction step, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes.
2Productivity
If high temperature processing is used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but terpene profile changes and degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The room temperature maceration step is performed before the high temperature reflux extraction. This preliminary action extracts more heat-sensitive compounds including terpenes at lower temperatures, preserving their profile. The subsequent high-temperature step then focuses on extracting cannabinoids, achieving high extraction efficiency while minimizing terpene degradation through the protective effect of the initial low-temperature stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction process uses periodic temperature variation, alternating between room temperature maceration and elevated temperature reflux extraction. This periodic action allows the system to exploit different temperature regimes for different compounds, maintaining terpene stability during the first phase while achieving high cannabinoid extraction efficiency during the second phase.
3Manufacturing precision
If purification steps are added, then extract purity is improved, but process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method selectively extracts specific cannabinoids (CBD and THC) through optimized maceration and reflux conditions, effectively separating them from other plant constituents. By carefully controlling extraction parameters, the process achieves high purity of the desired cannabinoids without requiring additional complex purification steps such as chromatography or crystallization, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while avoiding excessive process complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If extended extraction time is used, then cannabinoid concentration is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process uses periodic temperature variation, alternating between room temperature maceration and elevated temperature reflux extraction. This periodic action allows the system to exploit different temperature regimes for different compounds, maintaining terpene stability during the first phase while achieving high cannabinoid extraction efficiency during the second phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the temperature parameter between two distinct phases: room temperature for initial maceration and elevated temperature for reflux extraction. This parameter change optimizes extraction efficiency at each stage, achieving high cannabinoid concentration without requiring excessively long processing times by matching temperature conditions to the extraction objectives of each phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces a cannabis extract with at least 10% w/v of CBD and less than 0.5% w/v of THC, providing augmented therapeutic effects for refractory epilepsy and neuropathic pain.
Implementation Method 1
macerating the trichomes with an C1 - C3 alcohol at a temperature of at least 30°C for at least 48 h
Implementation Method 2
incubating and stirring the trichomes obtained in step c) with an C1 - C3 alcohol at a temperature of 90°C to 100°C for at least 40 hours
Implementation Method 3
eliminating at least part of the alcohol present in the second solution, obtaining a extract
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention describes a methods to obtain cannabinoid-containing plant extracts and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of epilepsy, especially refractory epilepsy, and/or of neuropathic pain and spasticity derived from leukodystrophy.